norquist tax pledge. basically urging the party to take the president's deal of extending the tax cuts for 98% of americans right away. i want to play what he had to say to our chuck todd earlier today, though. >> the president says he wants to make 80% of the bush tax cuts permanent for 98% of the american people. and take them out of the discussion. i think we should do that. now, that advise was given in private. >> you didn't intend for this to go public? >> no, i absolutely didn't. again, it is what i said. it's not an inaccurate report. >> all right. he didn't really want it to get out there, but it's out there. it's feathers to the wind. michael, you can't get this back. you know that well with radio. once you say it, it's out there. feathers to the wind. do you agree congressman cole is actually giving the speaker more flexibility in the negotiations? >> yes. thomas, there's a tendency to watch these negotiations from the sidelines and to think that the prince piples speak for everyone. i think we